Security fears mount as 370 ‘militants’ remain at large

At least 370 members of nine banned militant outfits, wanted in cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act, remain at large, posing a growing threat to national security.

The continued freedom of these fugitives, combined with gaps in surveillance and weak anti-militancy enforcement was heightening risks to law and order, said crime analysts.

Among the fugitives, 185 are from Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), 16 from Harakat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI), 16 from Neo-JMB, 59 from Hizb ut-Tahrir, 25 from Ansar Al Islam, 58 from Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), nine from Allah’r Dal, one from Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya (JAFHS) and one from Imam Mahmuder Kafela, according to police data.

Among the 370 fugitives, 130 were never arrested, 61 went into hiding after securing bail during investigations, and 83 absconded during trial proceedings, while the whereabouts of 96 remain unknown.

Md Jannat-Ul-Farhad, assistant inspector general (development) at the Department of Prisons, said that during the 2024 mass uprising, 2,250 accused in different cases fled from jails, of whom 700 were still untraced. Nine of them were alleged militants.

Police data also shows that 1,231 alleged members of banned outfits were released on bail between 2021 and August 2024. A further 380 secured bail between September 2024 and July 2025.

Of those 380, seven are from Ansar Al Islam, four from ABT, 68 from JMB, six from Neo-JMB, six from Hizb ut-Tahrir, four from Imam Mahmuder Kafela, four from HUJI, 15 from JAFHS and 265 from unnamed outfits.

A total of 162 alleged militants were in 16 jails across the country until June 2025. Of them, 32 were under trial, 59 were on death row, 46 were serving life sentences and 25 were in other categories.

The facilities include district jails in Rangpur, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon and Patuakhali, as well as Dhaka Central Jail, Kashimpur-1 and 2, Kashimpur Women Jail, Kashimpur High Security Jail, Sylhet Central Jail, Chattogram Central Jail and Mymensingh Central Jail.

Omar Faruk, professor of Criminology and Police Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, said that from a state management and governance perspective, the situation posed a major risk. He said many of those released on bail were believed to have regrouped and strengthened their networks.

“If they are not brought under the legal process and judicial system immediately, they may seriously affect public safety and law and order, leading to major disruptions,” he said.

Crime analyst Dr Tawohidul Haque said, “The danger increases when they regroup and engage in radical activities, creating concern for law enforcement agencies and insecurity among citizens.”

On suspects fleeing after bail, he said procedural gaps should be reviewed. “Bail terms should require regular reporting to the nearest law enforcement unit, with records submitted to the court to ensure monitoring,” he added.

Superintendent of Police at the Anti-Terrorism Unit Barrister Mahfuzul Alam Russell said drives were ongoing to arrest fugitives in cases filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Police spokesperson and Assistant Inspector General AHM Shahadat Hossain said authorities were continuing efforts to apprehend fugitives while maintaining surveillance on those released on bail.

Security has been strengthened at all airports, including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, following intelligence warnings of possible militant attacks on key installations.

Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq confirmed that a high alert was issued after a warning from Police Headquarters.

Officials said surveillance has been intensified with additional personnel deployed at entry points, terminals and other sensitive areas.

On 23 April, Bangladesh Police issued a high-level alert over suspected coordinated attack plans targeting critical state installations, including the parliament.